Riding on a brilliant effort from the bowlers and the fielders, India defeated New Zealand by 6 runs in the third and final T20I in Thiruvananthapuram to seal the series 2-1.
Defending a modest 68, Team India came out all guns blazing and even before New Zealand could settle down, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah had dismissed Martin Guptill and Colin Munro respectively inside two overs.
Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips then stopped the rot for a while, but India strengthened its grip on the game when the former was run-out before the latter was sent back by Kuldeep Yadav on the very next ball in the fifth over with only 28 runs on the board. The Kiwis never looked in contention barring the last over to chase down the total and eventually managed to score 61 for 6.
Earlier, New Zealand bowlers put up yet another disciplined performance to restrict the formidable Indian batting lineup to 67 for 5. The Men in Blue began the proceedings in disastrous fashion as both of their openers-Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan- were dismissed by Trent Boult on successive deliveries in the second over. Handy knocks from Virat Kohli, Manish Pandey, and Hardik Pandya then propelled the hosts to a challenging total.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the game:
Jasprit Bumrah once again the star. India's best limited-overs bowler ! Best death-overs bowler in the world. Nerveless & clinical #INDvsNZ
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) November 7, 2017
Credit to @BLACKCAPS! They are often underrated and not given their due. Gave India a run for their money both in ODIs and T20Is. #INDvNZ
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) November 7, 2017
Tough to beat India in India whether it is a 5-day game, an ODI game, a T20I or an 8-over game. #IndvNZ
— Shubh Aggarwal (@shubh_chintak) November 7, 2017
Dear @ICC, please arrange a World Cup of 8 overs matches. I think, we are ready for it.
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) November 7, 2017
* 8 overs match *
Batsman: Any special tip for this type of match.
Coach: Play like Afridi.
Batsman * gets out in first ball*#INDvNZ— sunil the cricketer (@1sInto2s) November 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/sagarcasm/status/927949466832748549
Today's top class fielding efforts:
Mitchell Santner catch..
Rohit Sharma catch..
Hardik Pandya run out..Defining moments of this match!
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) November 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/MohammadKaif/status/927947692507926528
Clinical when it matters the most. Fielding like their life depends on it, and it pretty much does. 'this will go down to the wire. #IndvNZ
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) November 7, 2017
This game is a covert advert for the T10 league.
— cricBC (@cricBC) November 7, 2017
Rohit is such a natural fielder. Not the most athletic but brilliant hands and great ball sense. Pulls off absolute blinders with such ease.
— cricBC (@cricBC) November 7, 2017
Brilliant from Bumrah and Rohit. New Zealand haven't got the start they wanted
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 7, 2017
New Zealand's fielders have a better understanding than most couples these days. #IndvNZ
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) November 7, 2017
Mitchell Santner, you beauty! Making up for all the drops earlier
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) November 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/sagarcasm/status/927935435350843392
Mitch Santner is back baby!!!! #catchit #INDvNZ
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) November 7, 2017
It is not the wicket to come down if the ball is not coming on. Iyer has disappointed twice in two games.
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) November 7, 2017
Ish Sodhi being slammed by Kohli.
Hardik Pandya right now:- pic.twitter.com/bro5mt9TN0
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) November 7, 2017
Class. Class. Class – difference between @imVkohli and the Rest #IndvNZ
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) November 7, 2017
One shot too many #INDvNZ
— srikrishna ?? (@1998Srikrishna) November 7, 2017
Looking good now. Hopefully an 8 over game? Great atmosphere here, deserve to get a game
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 7, 2017